Short Food Supply Chains and Their Contributions to Sustainability: Participants’ Views and Perceptions from 12 European Cases

Abstract

The present food system faces major challenges in terms of sustainable development along social, economic and environmental dimensions. These challenges are often associated with industrialised production processes and longer and less transparent distribution chains. Thus, closer distribution systems through Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) may be considered as a sustainable alternative. This study explores the role of different types of SFSCs and their contribution to sustainability through participants' (consumers, retailers and producers) views and perceptions. As part of the European H2020 project "Strength2Food" we conducted a cross-case analysis and examined 12 European SFSC cases from six countries: France, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland and the UK. We applied a mixed method approach including primary data collection, via in-depth interviews and customer surveys, as well as desk research. The findings suggest that, irrespective of the type of SFSC, a strong agreement among the participants were found on the contribution of SFSCs to social sustainability. However, participants' views considerably differ regarding the economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. These differences relate to the way the SFSCs were organised and to some degrees to regional differences attributed to the significance of SFSC in different parts of Europe. The article concludes that the spatial heterogeneity of SFSCs, including supply chain actor differences, different types and organisational forms of SFSCs as well as regional and territorial characteristics, must be taken into account and further emphasised in future policies aimed at strengthening European food chain sustainability.

Are Short Food Supply Chains More Environmentally Sustainable than Long Chains? A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the Eco-Efficiency of Food Chains in Selected EU Countries

“…Economic and social benefits (close co-operation, geographical and social relations between producers, processors and consumers) that may be attributed to short food supply chains appear to be indisputable. There is growing evidence that short distribution chains indeed provide added value for producers [8,10,12,15,19,38,39] and generate social benefits [15,17,[40][41][42].…”

“…The concept of short food supply chains has been particularly promoted in the EU in recent years, constituting an important element of the Rural Development Policy [16]. This is because of envisioned advantages of short food distribution models, which include, among others, economic value added for food producers and social benefits, such as the identification of a food's place of origin and direct contact with the producer, which are valued highly by many consumers [17]. It is also believed that short food supply chains generate environmental benefits by shortening the distance travelled by food (agricultural products).…”

Are There Local Versions of Sustainability? Food Networks in the Semi-Periphery

“…The Eastern European context shapes the nature not only of traditional short food supply chains, as presented in the introduction, but also of the AFNs in the region. Eastern European, and particularly Polish, consumers declare a lower level of trust in food market entities but also in other institutions, including food certification systems, than other Europeans [44]. As a result, many local AFNs, e.g., food cooperatives, are inconsistent in obtaining products from eco-certified farms.…”

Redefining the Supply Chain Model on the Milicz Carp Market

“…In recent years, the popularity and significance of short food supply chains as alternatives [22] and possibilities to solve some problems related to food safety issues [23] and conventional distribution systems has been constantly growing. This process allows the development of partner relations between producers and consumers and promotes the implementation of sustainable development principles [24][25][26].…”